Nothing miserable at Laguna Hills

In a tale ridden with sorrow, grief and loss, Laguna Hills High School illuminates the love, joy, and revolution within the story of "Les Misérables." Bringing this musical to stage is usually difficult but this school does so satisfyingly with commanding characters, melodious voices and distinguished dance numbers.

When the stage lights go up, the show begins with strong male voices, painting the scene for us with their rendition of "Look Down" where we meet prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, played by Jonah Buckels.

With his commanding presence, he plays the deteriorated yet tenacious character to its fullest. Then we continue to a full dance number of "Lovely Ladies" where each girl is performing the same choreography, yet making it her own through small yet noticeable touches.

Further along, we meet Thenardier, the caretaker of Cosette, played by Tustin Talbot, and Madam Thenardier, played by Tahlia Nie. The couple has their conniving crook ways down to a "T" which they show through the use of thoughtful movements and jerky conversations. Though they play the part of the thieving inn keepers and cause trouble around numerous corners, both actors elicit bouts of laughter.

As the story continues, we meet the older and wiser Cosette and Valjean. Though they have aged within the musical, their voices have the same crisp, melodious, and emotion-filled delivery throughout.

Upon meeting the boys of the revolution with their number "Red & Black" filled with drunk soldiers with bottles in hand and hanging upon one another, we learn about the relationship between Cosette, played by Briana Lawson, and Marius, played by Reed Jones. This relationship is built upon plays of the eyes, nervous gestures from both parties, and smooth ballads.

For the finale, the audience is met with a goose bump inducing moment of harmonies through the epilogue of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the entire cast.

Not only does the cast bring the show to life but the crew does as well with clever use of props and set design. Though seeing the crew within the scenes is, at some times, distracting, it puts great effort into the intricate floor and multipurpose set pieces.